Some of the greatest moments in sports history are etched into our minds, not solely because of the results but because of the way we absorbed them.
Who can forget the final moments of what came to be known as “The Miracle on Ice,” when the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team filled with college kids defeated the awesome Soviet Union squad filled with legends?
As the final moments ticked off, the great Al Michaels said, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!!!!!!” Watching the final minute and hearing Michaels’ pitch perfect call should still send chills down your spine 45 years later.
There aren’t as many of those in boxing, though Howard Cosell’s urgent and excited, “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” instantly evokes feelings in anyone of a certain age.
In more modern times, Jim Lampley’s thrill and astonishment at George Foreman’s knockout of Michael Moorer in 1994, “It happened!” never fails to bring goosebumps.
In recent years, broadcast boxing has sorely lacked that unforgettable ringside magic. On Friday at Times Square in New York, Lampley will return from exile to call the three-fight card featuring Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez in separate bouts.
Turki Alalshikh’s decision to bring Lampley back to ringside — for the first time since HBO’s final boxing show in 2018 — has been met with joy throughout the boxing world..
Lampley is a rare talent, in my mind the greatest play-by-play man in the sport’s illustrious history. His passion and eloquence gave every bout he called a big-fight feel, an event more than a match.
A show from such a unique venue, featuring some of boxing’s most high-profile stars, deserves a call that is as iconic as the location. Have no doubt that Lampley will meet the moment.
But the fact that Alalshikh had to go to Lampley, who is 76, illustrates a massive issue facing the sport:It is painfully lacking in quality play-by-play men.
Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
Marv Albert is one of boxing's all-time great play-by-play announcers.
Lampley tells a story as a fight unfolds; he’s just not rattling off a list of punches.
Lampley is to boxing what Vin Scully was to baseball, what Pat Summerall was to the NFL and what Jim Nantz is to golf.
His presence alone behind the mic creates the sense that this is no ordinary fight card you’re watching.
The quality of the broadcast from Times Square on Friday will be so much better than the mess that DAZN put out the other day for the fabulous Chris Eubank Jr.-Nigel Benn bout.
DAZN does a great job of delivering fights to fans, but its broadcast production is absurdly poor, and the announcing looks like something from a college station.
Outside of analyst Chris Mannix, there is no star or potential star on the DAZN boxing broadcasts. It’s a disaster, which is disastrous for the sport since DAZN airs more fight cards than anyone.
At 76, Lampley’s future at ringside is inevitably limited, even if Alalshikh makes a deal to bring him back for more cards.
There are no young Lampleys out there yet. Corey Erdman, who calls fights for DAZN and UFC Fight Pass, is probably the best of the lesser-known play-by-play men. But as professional as he is, he’s not a young Lampley.
While I’d much rather hear Erdman calling the play-by-play than just about any of those active today, someone needs to find a voice that can take the mantle from Lampley and develop into the Voice of Boxing.
Perhaps the soon-to-be-launched TKO Boxing League will find a worthy successor. Jon Anik, the UFC’s play-by-play man, loves boxing and would be a fantastic choice for the sport, but he won’t be able to commit to boxing as its lead voice given his UFC duties.
A great play-by-play man is critical to helping build a new generation of fans.
On Friday in Times Square, Lampley will remind us what boxing can sound like at its very best. Maybe, just maybe, someone will rise up to create moments that will be etched in the minds of the next generation.
Here’s hoping someone is listening.
Imagn Images
Howard Cosell (R) became a legend for his boxing play-by-play in many Muhammad Ali (L) bouts.